Objective and Function

The primary objective of the Delaware Board of Pilot Commissioners is to protect the public from unsafe practices. The Board must also maintain standards of professional competence and service delivery. To meet these objectives, the Board:

• maintains standards of pilot competency and standards in delivery of services
• formulates rules and regulations
• adjudicates complaints against professionals and, when necessary, imposes disciplinary sanctions.

The Board issues licenses to river pilots in six classes (first class through sixth class) and apprentices.

The Board’s statutory authority is in 24 Del. C., Chapter 1.

Meetings

The Board meets at least quarterly. At each meeting, the date and time of the next meeting are decided. All meetings are open to the general public and are held in the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, in Dover. See the meeting calendar.

News

Starting with the 2017 renewal, all Pilots, with the exception of Apprentices, will renew licenses online. Every year, several weeks before the November 30th expiration date, we will send online renewal notifications. The notice explains where to access and how to properly submit the online renewal application.